Obesity a primary risk factor for stroke

July 31, 2005|By Carolyn Susman, Cox News Service

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In a study of more than 39,000 women, researchers confirm that maintaining a healthy weight may be one of the most effective ways to prevent a stroke. The study was led by epidemiologist Dr. Tobias Kurth, of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

"The news about aspirin's effects on stroke prevention has been widely publicized, possibly because many people are looking for a `magic bullet,' but aspirin alone is no single cure for stroke prevention," Kurth said. "What our study confirms is that preventing excessive weight gain and obesity can be an even more powerful tool, in addition to aspirin, to stop strokes, and, it is a safe remedy all women can adopt."

In this study, researchers examined data reported by more than 39,000 middle-age women who answered questionnaires about body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of stroke, along with other lifestyle habits over a 10-year period. The analysis showed that BMI was a strong risk factor for stroke.

Specifically, each unit of BMI was associated with a 4 percent increase in total stroke and a 5 percent increase in the most common form of the disease, ischemic stroke.

"Our analysis revealed that obese women are two times more likely to suffer from a stroke compared to healthy-weight women, and this did not change based on whether or not women smoked or how often they exercised," Kurth said.

The researchers believe obesity should be considered an established primary risk factor for stroke.